This work investigates the historical and cultural construction of masculinity within the context of professional dance. Ramsay Burt, a scholar in dance and performance studies, examines how male dancers have navigated societal expectations of gender, sexuality, and physical expression from the nineteenth century to the contemporary era. By analyzing choreography, performance practices, and critical reception, the author argues that the male dancer occupies a complex, often contradictory position that challenges traditional binary definitions of gender.

Experts in dance history and gender studies frequently cite this text as a foundational resource for understanding the evolution of the male role in performance. Readers often note the academic rigor and the depth of the historical research presented throughout the chapters.